Colts aim for AFC South crown behind Jacoby Brissett

After the shocking retirement of Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts are attempting to pick up the pieces and make a run at the playoffs.

Best-case scenario

Make the playoffs by winning the AFC South. Even with Jacoby Brissett starting and Andrew Luck retired, the roster is loaded. General manager Chris Ballard added Parris Campbell and Devin Funchess at wide receiver and signed a great pass rusher in Justin Houston.

Even with the shocking Luck retirement, Indianapolis should be competitive in the AFC South. The key for them is to have everyone healthy to make that deep run.

Worst-case scenario

Brissett can’t handle being the starter, the team never recovers from an emotional blast to the heart, and the Colts go 6-10. It’s not that Brissett is a bad quarterback, but he just isn’t anywhere near as good as Luck. Not many are. Brissett will win more games than he did in 2017, but not enough to make the playoffs. The offensive line has also not looked very good in the preseason, and that would only make matters worse.

Confidence level (Low, medium or high)

Medium.

If everyone is healthy, this is still a playoff team. But the problem is you can’t count on everyone being healthy. Houston has been hurt for most of his recent seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. T.Y. Hilton typically plays, but there’s nagging injuries to contend with. Malik Hooker has also been sidelined plenty in his young career.

The talent is there to be a good team with nine of 10 wins, but it’s no given.

X-Factor

Rookie receiver Parris Campbell. Campbell was the only offensive player drafted in the first six rounds. The rookie out of Ohio State has speed to burn. He adds another dimension to this passing offense with his great speed. He will play a lot in the slot, but can play on the outside too. He could have a really special year.

Turning point

Week 5 in Kansas City on Sunday Night Football. This is a rematch from last year’s Divisional Round game in which the Colts fell to the Chiefs. This will give them a measuring stick of just how good they are. It also is a good point to see how healthy the team is for the middle of the season.

Best moment in team history

Most people would say winning Super Bowl XLI, but the AFC Championship game two weeks before means more to a lot of fans. Peyton Manning led the largest comeback in championship game history after they were down 18 points at half against their foes from New England. Beating the Patriots to make the Super Bowl is always the way it was meant to be.